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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Orgeron Names Tony Hughes To Ole Miss Football Coaching Staff
2/22/2005 | Football
Feb. 22, 2005
OXFORD, Miss. - Ole Miss head coach Ed Orgeron announced Tuesday that he has selected Tony Hughes to join his Rebel staff as assistant defensive backs coach. The appointment is pending approval of the Board of Trustees, State Institutions of Higher Learning.
"Tony Hughes brings a wealth of knowledge and coaching experience to our staff," Orgeron said. "His strong background of having coached many years in this state also makes him a key element when it comes to our recruiting the state of Mississippi."
Hughes, a 13-year veteran of the collegiate coaching ranks, comes to Ole Miss after serving the last two years at Louisiana Tech, having coached outside linebackers in 2004 and cornerbacks in 2003. The 2004 campaign also marked his 21st season in the coaching profession.
Prior to joining the Louisiana Tech staff, Hughes had spent the previous 10 years on the coaching staff at Hinds Community College in Raymond, Miss., where he served as the defensive coordinator for one year and the defensive secondary coach during his first nine seasons.
During his tenure at Hinds, which also saw him coach the men's track team, Hughes helped lead the Eagles to Region XXIII Championships five times, including 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 and 2000, while compiling an impressive mark of 53-6 during those five seasons. Hinds was also the Region XXIII runner-up in 1999.
Hughes coached in three Mississippi Bowls (1996, 1999, 2000) while at Hinds, while also coaching in the 1993 Mississippi Community College All-Star Classic, the 1994 Mineral Water Bowl in Excelsior Springs, Mo., the 1995 Texas Shrine Bowl in Tyler, Tex., and the 1997 Golden Isles Bowl in Brunswick, Ga.
While at Hinds, Hughes was named the Track and Field Coach of the Year from 1996 through 2001, while also being a member of the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges and the Mississippi Association of Coaches. Prior to coaching at Hinds, Hughes entered the collegiate ranks, serving as the defensive secondary coach at the University of West Alabama in 1992 and 1993.
During his collegiate coaching days, Hughes has coached a number of players who advanced to the National Football League, including Fred Smoot (Washington Redskins), Deshone Mallard (Miami Dolphins), Larry Whigham (Chicago Bears), Grady Jackson (Green Bay Packers), Ronald Moore (Atlanta Falcons), Michael Myers (Cleveland Browns), and Mark Smith (Cleveland Browns). He also coached 2002 Heisman Trophy runner-up Brad Banks (Iowa).
The 45-year-old Hughes coached for seven years in the Mississippi high school ranks, serving as the offensive coordinator and offensive backs coach at Hattiesburg High School from 1988 through 1992. While at Hattiesburg, Hughes helped lead the program to the 1989 South State Championship title and an 11-3 record. Hattiesburg advanced to the 1991 state quarterfinals (9-3) and also participated in the 1988 state playoffs (8-2-1).
Hughes also spent two years as the defensive secondary coach and boys track coach at South Natchez High School from 1986 through 1988. His first high school coaching job came at Philadelphia High School in 1985 where he helped lead the program to the North State Championship title and an 11-3 mark.
After serving in the United States Marine Corps from 1981 to 1984 and receiving an honorable discharge, he began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Southern Mississippi in 1984, working with the defensive backs.
Hughes, who played football and ran track at Forest High School (1974-76) and played defensive back at St. Paul's College (1976-77), was a defensive back for Southern Mississippi in 1977 and 1978. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Southern Mississippi in 1980, and then also earned a Certificate of Education in Social Studies from USM in 1985.
He is an active member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, serving as a member of the Mississippi FCA State Board of Directors in 1999, president of the Mississippi FCA Coaches Council in 1998, and vice-president of the Mississippi FCA Coaches Council in 1997.
Hughes is married to the former Marion McCaleb of Meridian, Miss., and the couple has two sons, Jamison (15) and Jay (13).
